Friday 27th of March
“He has delivered the soul of the needy from the hands of evil men.”
Jeremiah 20:10-13
We are rapidly approaching the Passion of Jesus, so we are praying with the prophets of the Old Testament who had the same experience of persecution that Jesus had. Jeremiah and Jesus were both surrounded by their enemies, who denounced them and wanted to take revenge on them. Jeremiah wanted vengeance and asked God to send dishonour on his enemies. Jesus also knew that the Lord Almighty was with him, but he asked his Father for forgiveness for his enemies from the cross. His enemies brought dishonour on themselves and their murder of Jesus has been condemned for 2,000 years.
How do we react when we are persecuted for our faith? We may not face terror on every side, but we can face opposing views. Do we feel that we are helpless victims? Do we want to treat our enemies as they treat us? Jesus tells us that God our Father will rescue us in our need from the hands of the wicked. We don’t have to take revenge ourselves. Jesus, please give us your faith and hope, so that we can always praise God and look forward to our salvation, even in difficult times.